"I have nothing to say against the rule," said Umslopogaas. "Now who

is there who will come up against me to do battle for the axe Groan-

Maker and the chieftainship of the People of the Axe?"

Then all the ten sons of Jikiza stepped forward as one man, for their

hearts were made with wrath because of the death of their father and

because the chieftainship had gone from their race, so that in truth

they cared little if they lived or died. But there were none besides

these, for all men feared to stand before Umslopogaas and the Groan-